As The Country Records First MPOX Case After WHO Declared It International Public Health Emergency
PHOTO: Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan (middle), Director General of NPHIL
By Our Reporter
Monrovia- Before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox an international Public Health emergency of international concern, Liberia had six confirmed cases of the virus, but since that announcement, this West African state has now recorded another confirmed case, prompting the activation of the Incident Management Team, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) says.
NPHIL’s Director-General, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan made the disclosure at the MICAT press briefing in Monrovia on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The WHO says Mpox (monkeypox) presents with fever, an extensive characteristic rash and usually swollen lymph nodes. NHIL has said it has been informed of an outbreak of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox) in several countries of the WHO African Region, mainly in Central and West Africa.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the African Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC) declared Mpox an international public health emergency on August 14, 2024.
Treatment of mpox patients is supportive dependent on the symptoms. Various therapeutics that may be effective against mpox are being developed and tested. Prevention and control of rely on raising awareness in communities and educating health workers to prevent infection and stop transmission.
Dr. Nyan said on Monday that the confirmed case is a seven (7) years old female from Jeadepo, Dodrukon, Sinoe County.
The NPHIL Director-General also informed the media that the Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated.
The IMS is the body responsible for mobilizing resources and coordinating the response to an outbreak.
The Communication Division of NPHIL will update the public as the situation unfolds. However, we encourage you to follow the public health measures.